Apr 28, 2011

You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you....Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns....

presents for us:)

The girls are gone and as usual I am feeling sad. I get this way whenever anyone leaves and especially when they have been so kind, considerate and thoughtful. Before this month, we knew nothing of them or about them, but for the last 5 weeks we found out so much about them and both Arvid and I were very impressed with their attitude and their kindness.
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﻿ It's not like I have not come across kind people, we do all the time. It's just that these girls made an impression because they were so young and so considerate. Like many girls this age they were also self sufficient and very capable, but was impressed us was their skills, their attitude, their lack of fear to try things out....

Today they left. Arvid and I went to the house to clean and it hit me...so quiet. The quietness always causes me a moment of sadness when loved ones leave....but what really gave me a moment of thought was again their thoughtfulness. Many have come and gone from The Fur House and with some exceptions, we never expected these girls to actually be so appreciative and to actually show it so much.

was a pleasure having you

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When we got to the Fur House, I was very surprised to see a thank you card, presents for Brutus and for Arvid and I. It surprised me, we did not expect this, but just the thought and for me the card was thank you enough. Sometimes the kindest expression comes from people you least expect it from. The quotation at the bottom is what I think of the girls and of their kindness...

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again....

Apr 27, 2011

Laugh and the world laughs with you, snore and you sleep alone....

Snoring is a common sleep disorder that can affect all people at any age, although it occurs more frequently in men and people who are overweight. Snoring has a tendency to worsen with age. Forty-five percent of adults snore occasionally, while 25% are considered habitual snorers.

Occasional snoring is usually not very serious and is mostly a nuisance for the bed partner of the person who snores. However, the habitual snorer not only disrupts the sleep patterns of those close to him, he also disturbs his own. Habitual snorers snore whenever they sleep and are often tired after a night of what seems like quality rest. Medical assistance is usually needed for habitual snorers to get a good night's sleep

For light or moderate snorers, here are home remedies from experts that can help you—and your partner—sleep better.

1) A Tennis Ball
If you snore mostly when on your back, put a tennis ball in a shirt pocket cut from an old T-shirt and sew it to the mid-back of your tight pajama top. The discomfort forces you to roll over and sleep on your side, without waking you up.

2) Extra Pillows

Try propping your head up with an extra pillow to stop snoring. This opens your airway more, which prevents the back of the throat from collapsing and causing snoring. You can also raise the head of your bed by putting a couple of bricks under the legs of your bed, for example. 3) A Humidifier
If a cold or congestion is behind your snoring, one way to unstuff your nose is to run a humidifier in your bedroom at night. This encourages your sinuses to drain, shrinking nasal mucous and improving airflow to reduce snoring. Smearing some Vicks VapoRub on your chest at night will help open your nasal passages too, easing your snoring.

4) Nasal Strips

If you snore but don't have underlying sinus problems or coughing, you can relieve some of the snoring by wearing an OTC nasal strip, such as Breathe Right. These adhesive strips pull open the nasal passages so they're less narrow, giving you better airflow. 5) Mouth Guard

A mandibular advancement device, also known as an oral appliance, is shaped like a mouth guard for you to wear at night. It helps keep the lower jaw pushed out, widening the airway and reducing snoring. Studies show it is 90% effective at reducing noise from snoring. It costs $500 to $1,000 and lasts for at least 3 years. Your dentist can fit you for one. For a less expensive option, you can buy an OTC device called a snore guard. You boil it and then fit it into your mouth to create an impression of your teeth and dental structure. The goal is the same: to bring your lower jaw forward a bit to make the back of your throat less crowded.
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sad if it boils down to this

﻿﻿ Nothing is really guaranteed to work, but at least if you find yourself in this situation it sure does not hurt to try one. What's to lose? Oh yes!! The snore and of course you and your partner can sleep better:)) Hope it does not have to get to this:))

Life is what you make it: If you snooze, you lose; and if you snore, you lose more....

Apr 24, 2011

One wonders what would happen in a society in which there were no rules to break. Doubtless everyone would quickly die of boredom...

Easter comes but once a year and am I glad that's the case. Don't get me wrong, I respect everyone and their beliefs, but for me it is just another day....let say another very long and boring day because even though do not wish to run around malling or anything like that it is nice to know that I can if I want to.

It began like any other Sunday...woke up a bit late....had a late breakfast did some surfing on the laptop and enjoyed the morning with Brutus and Arvid.

Since we were having company for lunch today, we went to do our grocery shopping...lo and behold the grocery store was closed. Lexus maintenance department was closed....not used to this, but it is Easter after all.

The day would have dragged on had it not been for the 4 Norwegian girls we had over for lunch. We spent quite a few hours having a good lunch and then just sitting at the table and chatting for another few hours. I have to say t was very pleasant and enjoyable. Both Arvid and I enjoyed their company and conversation very much and I believe they did as well.

They were very happy for a home cooked meal and together we all had a very relaxed and good time together. We were happy to have them over and to be able to treat them to a good meal and to enjoy their company. They made Easter very fun and entertaining and of course the day turned out to be absolutely interesting and fun.....Hope you all also had a very Happy Easter....

Gratitude is the best attitude...Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day....

Apr 19, 2011

Hair brings one's self-image into focus; it is vanity's proving ground. Hair is terribly personal, a tangle of mysterious prejudices...

Like many of you, I have very curly hair. From the time I was a little child my hair was always "different" from that of my sisters. They had these straight locks while mine was always going crazy all over the place.

I never minded the curls but almost everyone else did. Seems it was not "normal" in my family to have such curly hair. It was difficult to comb and to keep tidy. Most of the times it was frizzy.

As I grew older I discovered that curly hair was actually considered glamorous, sexy and very appealing to the opposite sex...at least that's what they told me and what Arvid continues to tell me all the time... Not to be vain, but people stop me all the time just to tell me how gorgeous my hair is...I love the compliments, especially after growing up in a culture where it seemed curly hair was not acceptable.... Still I was having a difficult time managing it.

I have tried everything from cheap to expensive nothing worked. Just the other day I received another inquiry from a friend asking me what it is I do to keep my curls looking so beautiful....here is what she said:

Nadiya... Hola espero que estes bien... I would like to know what is that you use to keep your curls looking GREAT NOT FRIZZIE... do you mind sharing your beauty secret...cuz your curl always look good... Thanks!! Mayra

The reason I am writing this is because I have discovered a very good product made especially for curly hair. I have been using these products for a while now and I can honestly say that it is the only thing that works for my kind of hair. They are from Ouidad and made especially for people with curly hair. Just check out the link. http://www.ouidad.com/curly-hair-guide

The Ouidad climate control gel is my favorite. Leaves my hair shiny and with beautiful curls...not FRIZZY like all the other products I have tried. I will say the products are a little on the expensive side, but if you are like me and would try just about anything to have soft, manageable, shiny luxurious hair then this is the product for you. I love it and I use it all the time...as the advertisement says "because I'm worth it"

Maybe it's time to do some house cleaning in our closets....Style is an expression of individualism mixed with charisma. Fashion is something that comes after style.

I like to follow what's happening in the fashion world...does that mean I agree or actually like it all? DEFINITELY NOT!! I have my own style like most of you do...., but it's fun to see what "fashion" is in or out. Being different is what makes us unique...

Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.....

Apr 17, 2011

We live in sunny Florida so some may think that life is a constant weekend...well not too far from he truth. Why wait for the weekend to have fun when each day can be fun? We work from home so our schedules are a bit more flexible than many, not to say that our lives are not hectic and busy.

We work hard Monday through Friday, but come Friday 5pm...it's the weekend and it's our leisure time and we love it.

This week the weekend began early with an unexpected, but much enjoyed trip to Sawgrass Mall. OK, so we had to meet a customer, but what better location? Gave me time to shop around and pick up some goodies at the same time.

Friday we had some friends from The Blues Society over at our place for some drinks and a few snacks followed by dinner out and then to The Coconut Creek Casino. A first for Arvid and I in this Casino. Not keen on gambling, but who can pass up so many slot machines and not try their lucks?

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Downtowner..

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Saturday...hmmmm. Well it was another fun day. Some more shopping then some music and dining at The Downtowner...

Sunday...following up with some customers, but it's looking like a day for a cruise with the top down....

Apr 13, 2011

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿There is something about the presence of a cat... that seems to take the bite out of being alone....

﻿﻿Everyone by now knows that I love cats. At one time I had 5 kitties. I loved them all and to this day I miss each and everyone. I found homes for them but I do not know where they are. Most likely they are no longer alive but if they are they would be between 21 and 19 yeas of age.

Home for me and my 5 kitties was California. We had a beautiful home and we we happy there. When tragedy struck, I moved with them to New Jersey. Life was good for almost a year. Winter came and I brought them with me to The Sunshine State.

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Reba at home in CA..

﻿ My first kitty was named Reba...she was one hell of a kitty, she hated everyone but me. I loved her to death and whenever I think of her my heart breaks and my mind wanders....where are you Reba?? She was the first and only female of 5 cats. She ruled and no one else mattered as far as Reba was concerned.

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Lil' Mister

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McGyver

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Kitty number 2 was McGyver. Together with Lil' Mister (#3) these two became buddies and best of friends. If they were people one could say that they never had a bad day and were always happy and content with life. They tried to be friends with Reba but she was not going to have any of that.

Buddy:)

In came the fourth. We named him Buddy and we found him in our backyard looking lost and abandoned. He was a Siamese all white with beautiful blue eyes.... but when we found him he was dirty and scared. A little kindness, patience and lots of love turned Buddy into one chatty kitty who loved being petted and touched all the time.....

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Tiger 2007

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Tiger 1993:)

Not knowing this was going to be my last year living in California, I found another kitty. Actually, he was in a brown paper bag someone was going to throw away. I heard this meow...asked what's going on, before you knew it we had kitty number 5. We called him Tiger and he was no bigger than the palm of my hand. Tiger was a handful. To this day I have never seen another cat as playful and full of spunk and energy as Tiger.

When Arvid came into my life we found homes for all the Kitties. This broke my heart and continues to break my heart whenever I stop and think of it. These cats saw me through one of the saddest times of my life....you see I was very young and was already a widow. They were my salvation and I believe I needed tham more than they needed me at times.

All I hope and pray for is that they were well cared for, treated with kindness and were loved until the very last day of their lives. I will always feel guilty for giving them up but that is someting I will have to live with forever.

My life is forever a better place since the day I had my first kitty...

Apr 12, 2011

You can't turn back the clock but you can wind it up again and bring back the good times.....

friends is always best)

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There comes a time when you say to yourself...OK I have really tried. I have done the best I can and maybe this time it did not work out the way I wanted, but hopefully given time things will be better I really hope so. I learned that things change, people change, and it doesn't mean you forget the past or try to cover it up. It simply means that you move on, and treasure the memories and hope that one day you can begin to again to have more of the good times:)

How many have been in a relationship where you have done all you can to make it the best it can be... or how many have tried to be the best friend you can to someone and all you face is a brick wall?

Sometimes all it means is that you just have to keep tyring and always hoping for the best. This I always do, but right now I am a bit tired of being misunderstood and of always having to be the one to say "I'm sorry" Not this time. I have had enough and I believe it is best when we stay out of peoples lives and at the same time others know as little about what's going on in yours to make things flow better.

I often find myself thinking about mistakes we've made or things we could have done differently in the past. And once I get to thinking, I always end up feeling the same way: crappy. We all need to learn to just let the past go and live in the present. As some wise person said...Don't let the past steal your present.

Time goes by so fast, people go in and out of your life. You must never miss the opportunity to tell these people how much they mean to you....

Apr 9, 2011

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference....

Back from The Dominican Republic and I have to say even though we had a good time we are both so very happy to be home....where everything is back to normal and life is once again so very peaceful and stress free. There's nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.

Strange, Arvid and I love travelling or at least we use to enjoy it very much, but now since we have Brutus in our lives it seems that more and more we do not wish to be away from him for long periods. He has become such an important part of us that no matter where we are we are constantly thinking of him and hoping he is OK, eating, sleeping...etc. It's not only me who worries about him, but Arvid does as well. During this short trip Arvid was constantly saying he misses Brutus and wanted to be back home with his little buddy...was just too cute.

Soon we are leaving again for Tampa...and we are quite excited because we both really enjoy this trip and this festival that takes place all weekend long. We are actually thinking mre seriously to just travel within the US and discover all these beautiful States. I very much would love to do this.....It's starting to get tiring all this travel yet I always look forward to it. Boy what a contradiction!!

Apr 6, 2011

Music is the universal language of mankind...Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life

April is a month both Arvid and I look forward to every year, not only do we both have birthdays in the same month, but one of our favourite Blues Festivals happens to be this month every year.

Aside from The Chicago Blues Festival happening every June, our next favorite is he Tampa Bay Blues Festival, taking place at Vinoy Park, St. Petersburg, three days in a row. The location is just beautiful for a musical festival. It's right on the water with the cool breezes always coming your way. Every year we have been lucky to spot Dolphins swimming in the Bay. It is a beautiful sight and very relaxing.

During this time we forget all about our laptops, Arvid always turns off his cell phone. He says this is just a weekend to enjoy, relax and not worry about anything nor anyone....I on the other hand never turn off my phone because I always want to be reached in case Brutus needs us or family.

It is with great expectation we look forward to this years Festival. Arvid says the line-up is spectacular....check it out

What I like most about it is the openness, being able to just walk around and hear the music, also I take a book. I love to read and have the music in the back ground. Best of all we get to enjoy another weekend doing what we like best....

Music speaks what cannot be expressed, soothes the mind and gives it rest, heals the heart and makes it whole, flows from heaven to the soul....

Apr 1, 2011

And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years.

we are here:)

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Both of our birthday's fall in April (mine and Arvid's). For us it always works out really good because we try to plan something and that normally is a celebration for both of us.

In just a few days we will be heading to The Dominican Republic. We have been there before and it has some amazing beaches. We met some very colorful and interesting people while there last year and ever since we have always contemplated going back, so when Arvid proposed going on Saturday I was needless to say very excited.﻿

beach next to us:)

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I love our life because we are constantly on the move. Always ready to see and explore new places, luckily we are able to do this and for that we are both very happy. I want to live my life so that my nights are not full of regrets.

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our resort..

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I know many people who have the opportunity to do the same, but are sometimes afraid to venture out and make that first move. I will say see as much as you can when you can because you never know what tomorrow holds.

We will be staying in what appers to be a very beautiful resort and with a most beautiful beach at our doorstep. Can't wait to go. As someone said:

The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.

My mom taught me to be the best person you can be. Strive to live your life to the fullest and don't let one day go by without trying to live it the best way you can....

My Favorite Drink

Our Brutus

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Sunrise From Our Home

Looking Out My Back Door

Something Called Love

About Me

Eldest of 5 girls. Born in British Guyana. Raised in Puerto Rico. Bilingual (English/Spanish). Always curious. Not afraid to say what I think and feel..Open, honest, determined and with a mind of my own. Great sense of humor. I was raised to appreciate & respect people...great lessons I have learnt from my parents who continue to be great role models in my life..I have high values and I always thrive to do the best I can. My main strength lies in my people skills....I know I have the personality, charm and intelligence to handle almost any situation or persons. I worked as an EMT in NYC and saw things you will only read about in books. This experience has taught me that there is more to life than just appearances. Also, I have experience loss I loved and lost someone who was special to me..... I CANNOT FORGET TO ADD THAT THE 2 LOVES OF MY LIFE ARE MY HUSBAND ARVID AND OUR KITTY CAT...BRUTUS/LIL'MYSULF